Polystyrene, properties

Polystyrene can be exceptionally crosslinked, leading to a tough and transparent material with improved electrical and thermal properties used as a dielectric material. Table 4.34 displays examples of crosslinked polystyrene properties. The data cannot be used for designing. 

Table 4.36 relates to examples only and cannot be generalized. The data cannot be used for designing. See also Table 4.34 for crosslinked polystyrene properties and Table 4.35 for foam properties. 

Polymers derived from polystyrene but having alkyl or aryl groups substituted at the benzene ring were synthesized in an effort to improve some of polystyrene properties such as the impact resistance and obtain qualities similar to those achieved using copolymers with 1,3-butadiene (high impact polystyrene or HIPS). The polymers included In this class are poly(3-methylstyrene), poly(4-methylstyrene) CAS 24936-41-2, poly(4-phenylstyrene) CAS 25232-08-0 [115], as well as poly(2-vinylnaphthalene) CAS 28406-56-6. Some of the reports regarding thermal decomposition of these polymers are summarized in Table 6.2.10. 

Polystyrene properties, depending on formulations, can range from brittle but clear crystal to tough and opaque. Glass reinforcements improve strength, stiffness, and stability. 

Styrafil Fiberglass Reinforced Polystyrene Properties, Fiberfil Division, Dart Industries, Evansville, IN, Unnumbered, Undated. 

Alternatively the ion exchanger may be a synthetic polymer, for example a sulphonated polystyrene, where the negative charges are carried on the —SO3 ends, and the interlocking structure is built up by cross-linking between the carbon atoms of the chain. The important property of any such solid is that the negative charge is static—a part of the solid—whilst the positive ions can move from their positions. Suppose, for example, that the positive ions are... 

The isothermal curves of mechanical properties in Chap. 3 are actually master curves constructed on the basis of the principles described here. Note that the manipulations are formally similar to the superpositioning of isotherms for crystallization in Fig. 4.8b, except that the objective here is to connect rather than superimpose the segments. Figure 4.17 shows a set of stress relaxation moduli measured on polystyrene of molecular weight 1.83 X 10 . These moduli were measured over a relatively narrow range of readily accessible times and over the range of temperatures shown in Fig. 4.17. We shall leave as an assignment the construction of a master curve from these data (Problem 10). 

Styrene—acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymers [9003-54-7] have superior properties to polystyrene in the areas of toughness, rigidity, and chemical and thermal resistance (2), and, consequendy, many commercial appHcations for them have developed. These optically clear materials containing between 15 and 35% AN can be readily processed by extmsion and injection mol ding, but they lack real impact resistance. 

BiaxiaHy oriented films have excellent tensile strength properties and good tear and impact properties. They are especially well regarded for their brilliance and clarity. Essentially all poly(ethylene terephthalate) film is biaxiaHy oriented, and more than 80% of polypropylene film is biaxiaHy oriented. Polystyrene film is oriented, and a lesser amount of polyethylene, polyamide, poly(vinyl chloride), and other polymers are so processed. Some of the specialty films, like polyimides (qv), are also oriented. 

In 1954 the surface fluorination of polyethylene sheets by using a soHd CO2 cooled heat sink was patented (44). Later patents covered the fluorination of PVC (45) and polyethylene bottles (46). Studies of surface fluorination of polymer films have been reported (47). The fluorination of polyethylene powder was described (48) as a fiery intense reaction, which was finally controlled by dilution with an inert gas at reduced pressures. Direct fluorination of polymers was achieved in 1970 (8,49). More recently, surface fluorinations of poly(vinyl fluoride), polycarbonates, polystyrene, and poly(methyl methacrylate), and the surface fluorination of containers have been described (50,51). Partially fluorinated poly(ethylene terephthalate) and polyamides such as nylon have excellent soil release properties as well as high wettabiUty (52,53). The most advanced direct fluorination technology in the area of single-compound synthesis and synthesis of high performance fluids is currently practiced by 3M Co. of St. Paul, Minnesota, and by Exfluor Research Corp. of Austin, Texas. 

Property AST M test ABS Noryl a Nylon b P< Polyeste d r HD PE Polypropyle ne High impact polystyrene Polyurethane PV C... 

Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion. The coefficients of linear thermal expansion of polymers are higher than those for most rigid materials at ambient temperatures because of the supercooled-liquid nature of the polymeric state, and this applies to the cellular state as well. Variation of this property with density and temperature has been reported for polystyrene foams (202) and for foams in general (22). When cellular polymers are used as components of large stmctures, the coefficient of thermal expansion must be considered carefully because of its magnitude compared with those of most nonpolymeric stmctural materials (203). 

The insulating value and mechanical properties of rigid plastic foams have led to the development of several novel methods of buUding constmction. Polyurethane foam panels may be used as unit stmctural components (220) and expanded polystyrene is employed as a concrete base in thin-sheU constmction (221). 

Expanded polystyrene bead mol ding products account for the largest portion of the drinking cup market and are used in fabricating a variety of other products including packaging materials, iasulation board, and ice chests. The iasulation value, the moisture resistance, and physical properties are inferior to extmded boardstock, but the material cost is much less. 

Steam-Chest Expansion. In steam-chest expansion the resin beads in which gas is already present are poured into molds into which steam is injected. The steam increases the temperature close to the melting point and expands within the stmcture to create beads with food cushioning and insulating properties. Expanded polystyrene is widely used in this process for thermal insulation of frozen food packaging. 

The alcohols, proprietary denatured ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol, are commonly used for E-type inks. Many E-type inks benefit from the addition of small amounts of ethyl acetate, MEK, or normal propyl acetate to the solvent blends. Aromatic hydrocarbon solvents are used for M-type inks. Polystyrene resins are used to reduce the cost of top lacquers. T-type inks are also reduced with aromatic hydrocarbons. Acryflc resins are used to achieve specific properties for V-type inks. Vehicles containing vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate copolymer resins make up the vinyl ink category. Ketones are commonly used solvents for these inks. 

The mechanical properties of LDPE fall somewhere between rigid polymers such as polystyrene and limp or soft polymers such as polyvinyls. LDPE exhibits good toughness and pHabiUty over a moderately wide temperature range. It is a viscoelastic material that displays non-Newtonian flow behavior, and the polymer is ductile at temperatures well below 0°C. Table 1 fists typical properties. 

Polystyrene. Polystyrene shows compatibiHty with common plasticizers but modification of properties produced is ofHtde value. Small amounts of plasticizer (eg, DBP) are used as a processing aid. 

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